Tuesday, 21 July 2009

The End

I have finally finished.365 days without spending any extra money on clothes.And it feels great.It has been an amazing journey.There has been a lot of other stuff going on in my life this year but this focus on the discipline of posting has been therapeutic.When I have felt my lowest I have hunted through my wardrobe for a pick me up on a hanger.When I want to look brave outside (even though I'm crumbling on the inside) I have carefully selected the kind of clothes I want to stick up for me.The suit I wore when I wanted to crawl under the covers took me by the hand and told the people I had to face that I was smart, slick and meant business.The red top I wore constantly through the darkest days of my recent winter reminded me of the brighter days to come.I know some people (and they have every right to) feel that those of us who expend a lot of energy thinking about clothes are pretty shallow.But if it hadn't been for this blog which led to the connection of everyone out there who provided a few kind words at difficult times i don't think I would feel as positive as I do right now.Through this blog I have met so many other kind souls I would never normally have come into contact with.And that means everyone who has commented on my journey over the past year and those of you who have followed from a distance.This blog ends here but I have set up a new one called The Small Fabric Of My Life which will include my musings on what matters most to me (family, friends, clothes, writing, fitness, music etc).In many ways the same as this blog but without the countdown.I am ending this blog with the outfit I began with.I feel this sums up a great deal of what I have learned - stylewise- from this journey.It is a dress I hardly wore but is, I discovered, the perfect shape, colour and pattern for me.Thanks to style tips from other bloggers I have learned how to wear it in a casual style, dressed-up and during winter and summer.Best of all, it always cheers me up.And that, I think is the secret of a successful style - finding clothes that work for your shape, your life and your budget.That cheer you up when you are feeling down and stick up for you when you are feeling low.In essence working your wardrobe is really about getting your wardrobe to work for you.If you have enjoyed this blog please join me at my new blog with footnotes on fashion, fun, family and friends - The Small Fabric Of My Life.Au Revoir

94 comments:

Congratulations Jane!!! You did it!! A fantastic achievement and I've really enjoyed dropping by to see how you style it up and mix and match! I'll be off over to your new place to read with interest - great title by the way! (And an interest in clothes... shallow? I don't think so!!) x

This is just your 'blog' life. This past year was about your passion, your funtime, your hobby. Whether it be toy trains, cars, animals, or clothes, everyone has a hobby. I didn't think there was anything shallow about this blog. Just reading your posts about your work and your family let us know that you put those two importan factors first and foremost in your life.

Thank you for the past year. As you know I also used your 'countdown' as a way to countdown to Sophia, my grandbaby. Well, we've come to the end of your journey, but still now grandbaby. NOW, how what will I do?

Someone wise once said something about the journey being the important part and not the destination - I think that bit of wisdom is rather fitting. You have grown over that last year in strength and understanding and your clothes have become much more than mere garments to keep out the cold - they are cherished friends.Congrats on reaching your goal - I hope you celebrate this worthwhile milestone in style and I look forward to following you on your next adventure. Much loveHeather x

Congratulations on your success! I don't think clothes are shallow at all. It is a large part of how we are judged and perceived before we open our mouths. So what we choose to wear can be a very powerful thing. Being mindful of all of this & how it relates to you is rather introspective.

Your blog was such an inspiration to me (and many others, I'm sure). I didn't always comment but since I follow I could always see what you put together from your closet day to day. I was wondering if you would keep blogging and I'm glad you will be. I'll follow over there too. I started this year off with a shopping ban and caved in around February and then never got back on track. I might try again soon...and I have you to thank for your wonderful and colorful example.

Congratulations on a truly wonderful achievement. I joined you part way through but was so inspired by your challenge!And you're right, clothes can lift our mood or provide armour on the days when it's needed.

Congratulations! I will go straight over to your new blog and save it in my favourites! I am sooo glad you are going to carry on blogging :-) If your readership is anything to go by, then there are an awful lot of 'shallow' people out there! How can it be shallow to care about yourself, to want to look and feel your best, to want others to know you have pride in yourself? Whoever thinks caring about what you wear is shallow, obviously can't see past the end of their wardrobe!!!

Jane,It has been fantastic witnessing your journey over the past year. As a result of your inspiration I am on day 212 of my own shopping ban!!I have followed you through the ups and downs of your ban and I am now experiencing them myself. However thanks to you and your story I am prepared for what emotions the 365 days will elicit.I wish you the best of luck with your new endeavour and have already added the new blog to my favourites!!

Dearest Jane, I found you about 2/3 through the year and have been impressed not only by your self-discipline, but with your courage to share your strengths and weaknesses with others--turning strangers into friends. You have inspired me to do go a year with no new $ invested. Although my closet is a fraction of yours, the freedom to be creative with what I own has broken the tyrannical hold of "au current" and has allowed creativity and peace to flow freely. thank you for your honesty. Thank you for your creativity. I pray for you and yours daily and will miss the daily snapshots of your beautiful smile (oh, and the outfits, of course!) BTW, if clothes weren't important, it would not have been the first thing God made especially for man. He likes clothes too, and knows we need 'em :)hugs & kisses & all best wishes.

Sheesh, you got me all teary-eyed. That was beautiful. Thank you for everything you have taught me since I started reading. And thank you for taking us on this journey with you. I hope blogger allows this blog to stay up for many years. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do on your other blog.

Congratulations! I've been cheering you on since early January, and it has been a pleasure. You have inspired me to look at my own wardrobe and challenge my own sense of how what is on the outside can change what's on the inside. Thank you!

I am ovewhelmed by the comments you have all made and the connections that have been made.Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to write down your thoughts.I appreciate them and you all so very much.

Great parting post and last words! It's been so inspiring to see you take on this project and carry it out with such style and grace! I look forward to following your new blog, as I enjoyed your writings not only on style but also on life in general, running, family, and writing...glad that there is more to come from you! S.

Jane, I am so proud of you for so many reasons. The "no shopping" is awesome but your ability to be honest (right on par with Belette) and forthcoming amazes me!I'd love to say more but am headed to check out your new blog!

Thanks again to everyone who has commented sinc emy last comment (?)I think I have managed to add everyone on my new blog roll.Please keep in touch. This isn't the end of the journey but the beginning!

Congratulations Jane!!! You did it!! A fantastic achievement and I've really enjoyed dropping by to see how you style it up and mix and match! I'll be off over to your new place to read with interest - great title by the way! (And an interest in clothes... shallow? I don't think so!!) x

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